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TCHO Achieves Sweet Planning Success with DemandCaster
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
- Functional Applications - Inventory Management Systems
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
Applicable Industries
- Food & Beverage
Use Cases
- Predictive Maintenance
- Inventory Management
- Supply Chain Visibility
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
The Challenge
TCHO faced significant challenges in demand, supply, and inventory planning, leading to stockouts and customer service issues. The company needed to improve service levels while minimizing the risk of obsolete inventory. They lacked an automated method for material requirements planning (MRP) and their existing planning tool was too complex, hindering agile decision-making. Additionally, there was a lack of bi-directional integration between TCHO’s NetSuite ERP system and the current planning tool, causing extensive manual work.
About The Customer
TCHO is a premium chocolate maker based in Berkeley, California, founded in 2005. The company sources cacao beans directly from farmers and cooperatives, ensuring high-quality and unique flavor profiles. TCHO is known for its sustainable methods and has built a loyal customer base. The company offers a broad range of products, from chocolate nibs used in various food items to specialty bars sold to grocery chains, restaurants, and directly to consumers online. TCHO's supply chain requires meticulous planning due to the long lead times for cacao beans and the perishable nature of its products.
The Solution
TCHO implemented DemandCaster to revamp their planning processes. This solution facilitated more effective inventory management by allowing the company to compare items to customer orders or forecasts, enabling proactive production planning. The two-way integration with NetSuite ERP allowed seamless data flow and automated work order generation, significantly reducing manual work. DemandCaster's precise forecasting and planning capabilities helped TCHO streamline order fulfillment, reduce overstocking, and improve service levels. The enhanced visibility and insights provided by DemandCaster enabled better decision-making and agility in responding to market demands.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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